Everglades and F.S. Taylor WMAs

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

EVERGLADES AND FRANCIS S. TAYLOR
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
1999-2000
REGULATIONS SUMMARY AND AREA MAP
A COOPERATIVE PUBLIC WILDLIFE AND RECREATIONAL AREA
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
An Equal Opportunity Agency

This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor wildlife management areas. To make it easier to learn about regulation changes on this area, regulations that are new or differ substantially from last year are shown in bold print. Area users should familiarize themselves with all regulations for the area. For the exact wording of the wildlife laws and regulations, see Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's wildlife code on file with the Secretary of State and state libraries. This brochure and quota hunt application forms should provide the information necessary for you to plan your hunting activities.
For information pertaining to hunting on private lands and trapping, consult the current Florida Hunting Handbook. This publication is available from any Commission office as well as county tax collectors and their subagents.

PERMIT, STAMP AND LICENSE INFORMATION:
Persons utilizing wildlife management areas are required to have appropriate licenses, stamps and permits for hunting and/or fishing. Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older, and residents certified totally and permanently disabled as determined by a licensed Florida physician, Armed Forces or Veterans Administration, may obtain exemption certificates for most licenses, stamps and permits from the county tax collector. Hunters under age 16 and Florida residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida and home on leave with orders in possession, are exempt from all permit, stamp and license requirements on this area.
Hunting License, Trapping License, Fishing License and Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Wildlife Management Area, Wild Turkey and State Waterfowl permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, their subagents, or by telephone.
Unless exempted, all hunters on this wildlife management area must have the following in their possession and display them upon request of any Commission employee.
1. Hunting License: Information on the categories and costs of hunting licenses is available in the Florida Hunting Handbook.
2. Wildlife Management Area Permit: This $25 permit is required to hunt on this area, except during the special-opportunity alligator hunts.
3. General Gun-Vehicle Quota Permit: Required to operate a vehicle during the general gun-vehicle hunt. General gun vehicle quota permits are available at no charge. General gun vehicle quota permit applications are available at regional offices of the Commission on or about June 28. To apply for this permit, obtain a general gun-vehicle quota permit application and follow the printed instructions.
Everglades general gun-vehicle quota permits will be issued for each compartment: Conservation Area 3A north, Conservation Area 3A south, Conservation Area 2 and the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area (Area 3B). Tracked vehicle and airboat operators selected in the random drawing will receive permits and tags valid for one compartment only. Hunters may hunt only in the compartment and on dates specified on the general gun-vehicle permit.
4. Special-Opportunity Alligator Hunt Permit: A no-cost special-opportunity permit is required to hunt on this area during the special-opportunity alligator hunt (no exemptions). There are 53 permits available for the first special-opportunity hunt and 52 permits available for the second special-opportunity hunt in Unit 1 (Conservation Areas 3A North, 3A South, and 3B). There are 11 permits available for the first special-opportunity hunt and 11 permits available for the second special-opportunity hunt in Unit 2 (Conservation Areas 2A and 2B). Applications are available at the regional offices of the Commission on or about May 1.
Transfer of Permits: Everglades general gun-vehicle quota permits, deer tags or other permits required to hunt this area are not transferable. The sale or purchase of any quota hunt permit is prohibited. Special-opportunity alligator permits are not transferable.
5. Archery Permit: This $5 permit is required when hunting during the archery hunt.
6. Muzzleloading Gun Permit: This $5 permit is required when hunting during the muzzleloading gun hunt.
7. State Waterfowl Permit: This $3 permit is required while hunting ducks.
8. Federal Duck Stamp: Any hunter 16 years of age or older must possess a federal duck stamp while hunting ducks. This $15 stamp is available at post offices.
9. Migratory Bird Permit: This free permit is required when hunting migratory game birds.
10. Off-road Vehicle Registration: Any vehicle used on the area must have a current license plate or off-road vehicle registration decal and validation sticker. Applications for an off-road vehicle registration decal are available at regional offices of the Commission. The registration decal costs $10 and must be renewed annually.
11. Alligator Trapping License: This license is required of special-opportunity alligator hunt permit holders. An alligator trapping license can be obtained by submitting the fee payment ($250 for residents and $1000 for non-residents) along with the completed application to the Commission's Tallahassee office.

BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:
1. Deer--One during archery hunt, one during muzzleloading gun hunt, one during general gun-walk hunt and one per tag during general gun-vehicle season.
2. Hog--Daily limit 1, 2 per year (all hunts combined) and one per vehicle per day during the general gun-vehicle season.
3. Gray squirrel, quail, rabbit--Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each game species.
4. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria--No bag limits.
5. Migratory game birds--See Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet.
6. Alligator-1 per special-opportunity alligator hunt permit.

GENERAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA REGULATIONS:
In addition to the regulations which follow, all general laws and regulations relating to wild animal life or freshwater aquatic life shall apply unless specifically excepted for this wildlife management area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in the manner set forth herein.
1. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven is prohibited.
2. No person shall cut or destroy any tree or remove any tree, shrub or protected plant (as listed in F.S. 581.185) from any wildlife management area without written permission from the landowner or primary land manager.
3. Wild hogs may not be transported alive.
4. It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse or in any way litter in the management area. This includes dumping or draining refuse or wastes from any trailer or vehicle.
5. The wanton or willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
6. Fires other than camp fires are prohibited.
7. Non-migratory game may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
8. The head and evidence of sex may not be removed from the carcass of any deer on the area. Portions of the carcass may be removed immediately prior to cooking.
9. No person shall release any wildlife on this wildlife management area.
10. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this wildlife management area.
11. Killing swimming deer is prohibited.
12. Killing fox is prohibited.
13. Taking fox squirrel is prohibited.
14. The use of live decoys, traps, snares, nets or recorded game calls is prohibited.
15. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited in areas posted as "CLOSED" to hunting, fishing or trapping.
16. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange material above the waistline as an outer garment. This is not required when hunting during an archery-only season.
17. Hawks, owls, ospreys, eagles, kites and other birds of prey are protected by federal and state laws.
18. Deer may be dismembered in the field or camp, but each portion shall have a tag affixed to it identifying the name, address and hunting license number of the person who killed it; the date and location at which it was taken; and shall be readily traceable to the portion of the animal bearing the sex identification.

GUNS OR DOGS:
19. Guns or dogs are allowed only during the open hunts established for the area. Waterfowl retrievers are allowed during established duck and snipe seasons.
20. Possession or use of rifles or pistols is prohibited after the end of general gun-walk season in Conservation Area 3A between the old Miami Canal (Mud Canal) and the New Miami Canal and after the general gun-vehicle season in the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area (Area 3B), Conservation Area 2 and the remaining portions of Conservation Area 3A.
21. For taking non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles, pistols, longbows (including compound and recurved bows), crossbows (during the general gun hunt only) or birds of prey may be used.
22. For hunting deer, muzzleloading guns firing a single bullet must be at least .40 caliber; those firing two or more balls must be 20 gauge or larger.
23. Hunting with gun and light is prohibited.
24. Hunting deer with full-jacketed bullets or any rimfire cartridge is prohibited.
25. Fully automatic firearms, silencer-equipped firearms, centerfire semi-automatic rifles having a magazine capable of holding more than five rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices, or setguns are prohibited.
26. No person shall have a gun in manual possession while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
27. Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a firearm unless in the presence of a supervising adult.
28. The possession of any firearm containing shells or cartridges or any capped or primed muzzleloading gun is prohibited at check stations and public campsites. The discharge of guns is prohibited on, from or across any campsite, check station, levee or improved road.
29. Guns or dogs are prohibited on areas posted as "CLOSED."
30. Dogs may be trained in Conservation Area 3B October 2 through 11 (no guns allowed).
31. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest wildlife during any period in which hunting with dogs is prohibited.
32. No person shall possess any dog during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited, unless the dog is not a hunting breed and is kept restrained.
33. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.
34. Authorized hunting equipment or dogs may be taken onto the area after 8 a.m. one day before the opening of the hunt and shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. one day after the hunt.
35. The display or use of a gun on or upon the L-4 or L-5 levees in a manner capable of taking wildlife is prohibited.
36. Possession of guns on the levee bordering the Hillsboro Canal (L-39) is prohibited.
37. Hunting wildlife or the display or use of a gun in a manner capable of taking wildlife on or from rights-of-way of I-75, U.S. 41 and U.S. 27 is prohibited.

VEHICLES:
38. Any vehicle used on the area must have a current license tag or an off-road vehicle registration decal and validation sticker.
39. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates or trails.
40. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat while under power is prohibited.
41. No person shall operate any vessel including airboats outside of Water Management District canals unless it is equipped with an orange flag at least 10 inches wide by 12 inches long and displayed at least 10 feet above the bottom of the vessel.
42. Vehicles and airboats are prohibited on wildlife islands, tree islands, tree strands or in that portion of the area between the old Miami Canal (Mud Canal) and the new Miami Canal.
43. Vehicles are prohibited on the L-28 levee.
44. No motor vehicle shall be operated on any part of the wildlife management area designated and posted as "CLOSED" because of inclement weather, poor road conditions, construction, management activities or wildlife surveys.
45. During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun-walk seasons, only ATVs with an engine displacement not exceeding 450 cc are permitted for hunting. No person shall hunt from or occupy any ATV in motion with handlebars, platform or structure more than 4 feet above the lowest bottom surface of the ATV.

CHECK STATIONS:
46. On Saturdays and Sundays during the general gun-vehicle hunt , deer and hogs may not be quartered, dismembered or removed from the area until checked at a check station.

CAMPING:
47. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping. Camps may not be set up in the area prior to seven days before archery season and all vehicles, camps, tents, other camping equipment and litter must be removed no later than 6 p.m. seven days after the close of the general gun season. The erection of any permanent structure is prohibited.
48. Camping during the period from 8 days following the close of the general gun season to 8 days prior to the archery season is permitted but only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and camps may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours during this period.
49. Overnight camping is prohibited at areas posted as "CLOSED TO CAMPING."
50. The construction of docks of any type is prohibited.

SEARCH:
51. A wildlife officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat when he or she reasonably believes a violation has been committed.

ARCHERY:
August 28 through September 19 (Conservation Area 3A North only).
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit, archery permit; state waterfowl permit, federal waterfowl stamp, and migratory bird permit if hunting ducks.
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrels, quail, rabbit, opossum, raccoon, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria and ducks in season.
Regulations Unique to the Archery Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Possession or use of firearms or crossbows while archery hunting is prohibited.
2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except that waterfowl retrievers are permitted during the early duck season.
3. Airboats and other vehicles are prohibited in Conservation Area 3A North from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
4. Archery equipment may be transported on boats (other than airboats) and ATVs.
5. Centerfire shotguns are permitted on the area for hunting migratory game birds when one or more of these species are legal to take (see Migratory Game Birds section and the current Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet).

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY ALLIGATOR:
September 1 through 15 and 16 through 30.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Alligator trapping license and special-opportunity alligator hunt permit.
Legal to Take--Only non-hatchling alligators may be taken.
Regulations Unique to the Special Opportunity Alligator Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply and alligators may only be taken in accordance with the provisions of the special-opportunity alligator hunt permit.
1. Alligators may be taken only by the use of baited, wooden pegs less than 2 inches in length attached to a hand-held restraining line and hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs, snatch hooks, and manually operated spears, spearguns, crossbows, and bows with projectiles attached to a restraining line.
2. Bang sticks are permitted for taking alligators attached to a restraining line.
3. Alligators shall be killed immediately upon capture and a CITES tag and alligator harvest tag shall be locked through the skin of the carcass within 6 inches of the tip of the tail.
4. Alligators may only be taken in the area and during the dates specified in the special-opportunity alligator hunt permit.
5. Alligator hunters may operate airboats throughout the area when taking alligators. Guns may be transported by airboat for the purpose of taking alligators.
6. Alligators may be taken from ½ hour before sunset to ½ hour after sunrise unless otherwise provided by permit.
7. Meat from harvested alligators may not be sold for human consumption.

MUZZLELOADING GUN:
October 2 through 17 (Conservation Area 3A North only).
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit and muzzleloading gun permit.
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk and nutria.
Regulations Unique to the Muzzleloading Gun Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Only muzzleloading guns are allowed.
2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited.
3. Airboats and other vehicles (except ATVs) are prohibited in Conservation Area 3A North from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
4. Muzzleloading equipment may be transported on boats (other than airboats) and ATVs.

GENERAL GUN-WALK:
October 23 through 31 (Conservation Areas 3A North and 2 only). December 2 through 31 between the Old Miami Canal (Mud Canal) and the new Miami Canal in Conservation Area 3A North only.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit, state waterfowl permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory game birds).
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria; and duck, coot, and snipe in season.
Regulations Unique to the General Gun-Walk Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except retrievers are permitted during duck season.
2. Access into Conservation Area 2A is permitted only from the L-6 levee.
3. Airboats and other vehicles (except ATVs) are prohibited from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
4. Guns may be transported on boats (other than airboats) and ATVs.

GENERAL GUN-VEHICLE:
November 6 through 21 under permit only in Conservation Area 3A north, Conservation Area 3A south, Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area (Area 3B) and Conservation Area 2.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit, state waterfowl permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory game birds). Vehicle operators must have a general gun-vehicle permit.
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches in length visible above the hairline under permit only and antlerless deer under permit only, wild hogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria; and duck, coot and snipe in season.
Regulations Unique to the General Gun-Vehicle Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Deer must be tagged immediately with a non-reusable game tag provided by the Commission.
2. Only those vehicles authorized by Everglades general gun-vehicle permits are allowed in Conservation Areas 2, 3 and the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area during legal shooting hours.
3. The areas are closed to walk-hunting.

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS:
Ducks, coots and snipe may be taken during open seasons established by the Commission for these species.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit, state waterfowl permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit.
Regulations Unique to Migratory Game Birds--See Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet. In addition to these regulations, all Wildlife Management Area Regulations contained in this pamphlet shall apply and the use of lead shot for taking ducks and coots is prohibited.

FISHING AND FROGGING:
Permitted throughout the year.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Fishing license (not required for frogging).
Regulations Unique to Fishing and Frogging--In addition to these regulations, all wildlife management area regulations contained in this pamphlet shall apply.
During all hunting seasons, frogging (by boat or airboat only) is permitted from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise over the entire wildlife management area. During the remainder of the year, frogging is permitted throughout the day and night.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 must have passed a Commission-approved hunter safety course prior to being issued a hunting license.
2. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (561) 625-5122 {(800) 955-8771 (TDD)}.

COOPERATION REQUESTED:
Please do not discharge firearms at anything other than legal game while in a wildlife management area. Target practice and random discharge of firearms have become increasing threats to the quality of the hunting experience.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. TAKE TRASH OUT WITH YOU.
In recent years, unauthorized and uncontrolled fires have caused severe damage to area wildlife and wildlife habitats. Controlled fires are beneficial only when they are of the proper size and location, and when area conditions are suitable. UNCONTROLLED FIRES DO NOT BENEFIT WILDLIFE. Please use caution with campfires, smoking materials and vehicles to prevent damage to wildlife habitats.
The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: The Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.
The project described in this publication is part of a program funded by federal dollars under the Wildlife Restoration Act. Federal funds pay $1,827,066 or 31 percent of the cost of the program.

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